When she received an email confirming her inclusion in this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival (SBJOJ), vocalist, composer, producer and lecturer Gabi Motuba was over the moon. “I immediately called my partner to share the wonderful news. It’s definitely a dream come true and has been on my bucket list”, she told Jazz It Out. The Mamelodi born and raised artist felt it was a full circle moment to earn this recognition from the festival.

This young mother, daughter, and partner has always had an affinity for music since childhood. “I am just a lover of music”, she confessed. Music is something that has always been an integral part of her life. “I continue to practice it, meditate on it and find more information on it over the years”, she added. Music has been generous in revealing to her who she really is, something she is grateful for. It’s a continuous journey of discovery and she is enjoying the ride.

Even in her home, music was always a big deal. “My dad was very passionate about music”, she recalls. It was a Saturday and Sunday waking up ritual. Parties and family gatherings were not complete without music coming from the sound system. “My dad admired a lot of Jazz figures who came from Mamelodi. He made friends with people who appreciated Jazz in the township”, she added. Investing in collecting good music is something he took pride in and wanted his children to be aware of different kinds of music from across the globe.

Gabi Motuba. Picture supplied

In her first two grades of primary school, Gabi realized she could imitate older musicians and paid attention to the nuances of voices whenever she sang. “I always knew that I was gifted in terms of what I could do with my voice. I always knew that I wanted to be a musician, a superstar”, with a chuckle. When she was doing Grade 10, she sat her parents down and informed them she wanted to take music as a subject at high school. At the time, she was excelling in Accounting and Computer Applications Theory. They wanted her to go the science route but she was adamant that music was her chosen trajectory.

Her father decided that if she was going to study music, it had to be at a reputable tertiary institution. In addition, it was going be Jazz or Classical Music. He didn’t see Pop Music as an option because they weren’t a lot of established pop institutions in the country. Years later, she recalls with laughter that episode at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus as an applicant: “I was sobbing because my dad said if he was spending his money, it was going to be on Jazz. He was determined I was going to do this and it was good for me.”

She enrolled at TUT soon after matriculating. As early as the first year, this young and ambitious woman decided not to set herself limits. “I was always trying to present myself as a professional musician. I tried to get gigs, spoke to musicians who were already in the music industry wanting to collaborate with them”, she said. Gabi did not confine herself to only Jazz musicians. As a matter of fact, before Jazz, she was more into Pop and Hip Hop. Gauteng youth commercial radio station, YFM, has a song in its archives where she collaborated with a Hip Hop artist while doing Grade 11.

She always knew that music was her career of choice. Picture supplied

Her first break as a musician came when she was featured in “Project ELO” by drummer Tumi Mogorosi. The album was recorded in 2013 and released the following year. “That was the first time I saw how Jazz was recorded and the work put in studio time”, she said. It opened up her mind not just as a singer but what it takes to be a Jazz musician. “I also got to see how Jazz recordings work in terms of sessions, fees and administration”, she added. Her role was not only to do vocals, she also co-wrote lyrics with the help of Mogorosi who wanted her to feature prominently in the recording.

Gabi’s debut album “Tefiti – Goddess of Creation” was released in 2018. Prior to recording “Tefiti”, she had been writing for strings and this is the sound she wanted to explore. This album always bring fond memories to the vocalist and composer mainly because of her father’s support which came at an appropriate time. He sat Gabi and her brother down, informed them he was going on pension and wanted to give them some money but wanted to know what they were going to do with it. To record an album was her immediate response. “My dad sponsored that project. He encouraged me to write, finish and see it though his sponsorship”, with a smile.

Even though she initially doubted her readiness to do “Tefiti” as its conceptual idea was still at its infancy, when she became aware of the availability of funds, she decided to write it very quickly. However, she has no regrets for doing it because it made her aware of areas of improvement in terms of cultivating a stronger sound, improving her compositional approach, music writing and getting stronger in music theory. “Only through writing that project I realized where I needed to work more. I am very glad that I ended up recording it as my first project because it taught me so much”, she said.

Jazz enthusiasts can expect a stellar performance from her. Picture supplied

By the time she released her second album The Sabbath” (2024), she felt she was a better musician. “The album is inspired by the love I have for my community. For me personally, it is about the love I have for my family”, she said. The recording is a dedication to all those who contributed to her becoming the musician she is an and is paying homage to them. “Being able to love and honour all of who you are, without judgement is so important. I hope people are inspired to get curious about who they are”, she explained. The album has received local and international reviews and assumedly her greatest work to date.

She promises Jazz enthusiasts at the SBJOJ in September a great performance. “I think my second album needs that kind of stage, that kind of audience, and that kind of reception”, she said. She attributes the festival’s success to its organisers whom she believes always listen to what Jazz aficionados expect from them which has resulted in its longevity. “They always have their ear on the ground and note the views of Jazz lovers, what’s fresh and exciting” she added. This always brings audiences back to the festival because their opinions are always considered.

Besides what she does as a professional, Gabi hardly have any hobbies. “I am consistently meditating on music, especially Jazz. I hardly ever deviate from that”, she said. One thing certain is her love for a good cup of coffee. She also likes to visit museums, cultural institutions and watching movies. Her favourite musicians are Siya Makuzeni, Thandi Ntuli, Zoë Modiga (whose recent album has been on her playlist), Esperanza Spalding, Lizz Wright and Cécile McLorin Salvant. She is on Instagram @gabi_motuba, @MMotuba on X and Gabisile Gabi Motuba on Facebook.